OVER QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS FOUND HIDDEN IN TRUCK

Over a quarter million dollars were found hidden in a pickup truck Monday on Interstate 10. Fayette County Sheriff Keith Korenek reports that Monday morning around 11:00 AM Drug Interdiction Investigator David Smith conducted a traffic stop on a 2010 Dodge pickup truck for a traffic violation. After contact with the driver and occupant of the vehicle was made, Smith observed many criminal indicators including their travel itinerary. Consent to search the vehicle was given and a hidden trap compartment was located in the center console of the truck that contained wrapped bundles of US currency. Both occupants denied the money belonged to them. Smith removed 26 bundles of currency from the hidden trap compartment of the vehicle totaling $279,750. Arrested and transported to the Fayette County Jail were the driver 63 year old Luis Carlos Trevino-Clemente of Humble, and his passenger 34 year old Gabriel Del Real Rodriguez of Mexico. Both subjects were charged with Money Laundering.

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11 reader comments:

I do not think any reasonable and prudent person could believe that (a) a Drug Interdiction Officer (b) who happened to be travelling down 290 (c) at the exact time these guys were (d) elected to make a traffic stop and (e) the guys just happened to have $279,750 in a hidden trap compartment. (f) Said officer was suspected foul afoot and (g) found trap compartment and money. Come on people: he knew they were coming down the road, when and what they had and where it came from before they ever took off. DUH! They didn’t have dope on them but they did have cash (money laundering not possession, etc) Betcha the money has dope residue on it when it is tested.

Hidden in a compartment and neither guy would claim it ,, cmon folks ! this money is dirty..of course it just a spit in the bucket to the cartel.. Even with the awesome job that the Fayette county sheriffs have done on this stretch of highway, the drugs confiscated are just a spit in the bucket also,, This is just one small section of highway,, can you imagine how much money and drugs go down all of the Texas highways weekly ?

While you’re at it, search for Civil Forfeiture and learn about that. They can take whatever they want from you if the think it has been or could be used in a crime. This can happen to anyone, and has many times. Even if you’re perfectly innocent, your cash, car, whatever are impounded until you PROVE YOURSELF INNOCENT. That is not American at all, and I’m shocked it’s allowed in Texas.

I admit, that much cash is suspicious. But how much does it take to be illegal? Cash is supposedly good for everything, so if I’m traveling to buy a classic Shelby Cobra from someone, I wouldn’t have the cash sitting out in the open. If i got stopped and a cop found it, am I guilty of money laundering until i can prove myself innocent? Would I be arrested? How much is too much cash to carry? This could happen to anyone! How is this legal?

Concerned….I have pondered that myself many many times. I do believe the amount is $10k+, as far as the situation, it seems as tho its officer discretion as to something illegal going on when coming across cash, which kinda bumps up against that “profiling” issue then. They way the banks are these days, more n more honest folk are being smart and keeping their funds where they can keep an eye on it….

No, it’s not against the law to be in possession of any amount of money.
“There is no legal limit to the amount of currency that you may carry on your person or possess at any time. Transactions in cash of $10,000 or more, in most cases, have to be reported to the federal government, and if you cross the border carrying $10,000 or more you have to declare it or risk having it seized.”

Most legitimate sales involving a large sum of money would be using a certified cashiers check or a bank-to-bank electronic transfer. Traveling with $279,750 sure raises suspicion to the highest level.

Ever tried depositing a cashier’s check over $10,000? Funds are on hold for 24 if not 48 hours because so many are forgeries or fakes. If it’s no good, you lose. Cash is the only sure way, even then, you have to watch out for counterfeits!